Audience was a London-based art-rock band active at the same time as other early pioneers of progressive rock – such as Van Der Graaf Generator, Affinity and King Crimson – and enjoyed great popularity on the club and college scene. It was founded in 1969 by singer and guitarist Howard Werth, saxophonist Keith Gemmell, bassist Trevor Williams and drummer Tony Connor. In the same year, they signed a record deal with the major label Polydor. Their self-titled debut album, recorded at Morgan Studios with cover art by Paragon Publicity, was released in December 1969.

It impresses with an enormous stylistic range, spanning folk and blues through to rock, jazz and psychedelic pop. The unconventional instrumentation is evident in the imaginative use of the acoustic guitar, as well as equally excellent playing on the saxophone, flute and clarinet, with the saxophone often being electronically distorted to sound like an electric guitar. Occasional string and wind arrangements expand the musical diversity, which is heightened by Werth’s idiosyncratic vocals. As the album was withdrawn from the market shortly after its release, it is now very rare and highly sought-after.